Morning light filtered through the gaps in the curtains. In a room of the Furuse Detective Agency, three bags of melon bread sat unopened on the desk. Pome was curled up asleep next to them, her ears twitching occasionally.

Hayato remained leaned back in his chair, eyes fixed on the book in his hands. He stopped turning pages when the door knocker sounded from the entrance.

...Hmm? Is that a clieeeent?

He closed the book and pushed up his square glasses with a fingertip. A single cowlick bobbed playfully.

Assistant-saaan, could you get that for meeee? My glasses are all fogged up, I can't see a thing right noooow.

A quick look showed the lenses were perfectly clear. The genius of early morning lies was right there.

The knocker sounded again. This time, it was louder than before. The force was enough to make the wooden door creak—clearly the work of someone who was irritated. Reacting to the sound, Pome's white ears stood straight up.

Pome jumped off the sofa wagging her tail and scampered toward the door on her little paws. The clever dog understood perfectly that "someone is here." However, the problem with this genius dog was that she tended to act immediately upon that understanding.

Ah, Pome! You mustn't open it on your oooown!

Hayato's voice echoed through the office, but it was too late. Pome skillfully scratched at the door handle with her front paws, and the sound of the lock clicking open followed.

Whaaa!?